Reaming Model 442 Cylinder for .357 Magnum

[old tanker]

I am not particularly recoil averse, but I shot an Airlite back in the late 90's when the first came out. My buddy who worked at the Gold Vault wanted to see how it handled the 110 grain +P+ Treasury loads.

He did not tell me. He found the "Bang"..."Ow" amusing. Repeated that four times and let him look at the nice A zone group.

The sharp and vicious rap in the middle finger from the trigger guard made shooting the thing hateful with that Treasury ammo. With ordinary .38s it was as tolerable as my 640-1 is with 158 grain LSWC .357 magnums.

For me, a 640-1, shooting standard 158 grain LSWC .357 magnums is a raucous as I need to get.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

S&W missed the boat with the 340PD.
...a 940PD would have been a much better idea.

I suspect the reason most people dislike shooting factory 357s in a lightweight J-frame is the heavy charge of slow magnum powder -vs- the lighter charge of medium speed powder in the 9x19s.

(The powder charge's weight effectively adds to the recoil like an equally heavier bullet would.)

What's the difference between a 125gr JHP pushed by 35K psi in a 357 Mag case -vs- 35K psi in a 9x19 case, other that the powder charge weight?
(9mm +P can be up to 38.5K psi, SAAMI)

My .357 Mag SD 340PD handloads get a near full charge of medium speed powder with a mid weight bullet.

For me that makes a difference.

.

 

[Sistema1927]

Isn't there enough recoil for you using +P in that 442?

 

[M29since14]

Bluedot37, what you say is true, but I object to the long .357 cases and the extraction issues with the short extractor rod of 2-inch J-frames. On this same topic, I wish Federal still made their 9mm Federal ammo (rimmed 9x19), which would be nice to have a small supply of, for when one doesn't want to carry ammo in moon clips.

 

[djohns6]

I have a Mod. 442 and it is NO pleasure to shoot with .38 spcl rounds . I cannot imagine the recoil with .357 . If you feel you need the extra firepower , buy a new gun .
And I wouldn't be comfortable with a reamed out cylinder either . But that's just my opinion .

 

[AJ]

Convinced yet?��

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'm from the "Go ahead and do it and let us know what happens" school of thought. Don't forget pictures

 

[AJ]

I'm from the "Go ahead and do it and let us know what happens" school of thought. Don't forget pictures

A video would be good. We can watch it in slow motion........

 

[Nevada Ed]

I'm from the "Go ahead and do it and let us know what happens" school of thought. Don't forget pictures

Don't fudge.........
you need to shoot at least 20 rounds of Magnun ammo.

Make sure that you add the.........

Before & After pictures of the ........

revolver and target .

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have several J Frames including some 357s.
The 357 in the J Frame produces recoil at the uncomfortable level.
I usually have mine loaded with +P 38s.
Don't risk over stressing that little gun!
Buy a 357 J Frame!

 

[hyena]

Don't fudge.........
you need to shoot at least 20 rounds of Magnun ammo.

Make sure that you add the.........

Before & After pictures of the ........

revolver and target .

And the hand holding the gun.

 

[Jerry in SC]

Buy a box of Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P in the 150 grain SWC-HC standard pressure loads.

 

[AJ]

I have a very nice Stainless Steel Model 442 in .38 Special +P.
I noticed that the cylinder is long enough to accept a .357 Magnum cartridge, except the cylinder has not been reamed all
the way through to accept the cartridge. If I were to ream the
cylinder all the way through, the .357 Magnum cartridge would fit
into the cylinder perfectly. My question is: Would the frame tolerate the higher pressure of the .357 Magnum cartridge?

So do you think it is a wonderful idea now?

 

[Catwrangler]

I'll be happy to let you preview the joy of the experience you're seeking. Hold your hand Palm out and I'll whack it with an aluminum baseball bat. If that gives you the warm and fuzzys, have at it.

 

[IllinoisFineGuns]

So do you think it is a wonderful idea now?

Hi AJ,
I guess it wasn't a good idea after all. Thanks for all your wisdom on the subject. I carry an M&P 340 and I use Federal 158 grain JHP in it. The recoil is brutal but I can hit pretty well. I was just trying to be greedy in upgrading the little 442 into a bigger shooter. I guess I'll just give to my wife to carry a a little purse gun.

 

[AJ]

Hi AJ,
I guess it wasn't a good idea after all. Thanks for all your wisdom on the subject. I carry an M&P 340 and I use Federal 158 grain JHP in it. The recoil is brutal but I can hit pretty well. I was just trying to be greedy in upgrading the little 442 into a bigger shooter. I guess I'll just give to my wife to carry a a little purse gun.

Many years ago, heavy recoiling handguns were not a problem. 50 years of shooting those has taken it's toll on my hands. It hurts now and I have trouble controlling them. My idea of a snub nose is either my 27-2 3.5 in .357 or my 351C in .22 Mag.

 

[ReloadforFun]

Recall that S&W can and does use different alloys and heat treatment for different applications.

I seem to recall the original M60's were not rated for +P 38's. How many 38;s has S&W made not rated for +P even though later versions of the same model are.

As others say - get a 357 - do not rechamber a 38.

 

[ddixie884]

I am in the get some Buffalo Bore +Ps and give them a try camp. They will give you a lot more power than a regular .38spl +P and be cheaper than a rechamber. It would also give you an idea about whether you want to buy a .357 snub. Take videos of this too. We all want to see..........

 

[pantannojack]

Guess the movie trivia quote

Can you guess the quote? : "I think I can speak for everyone here when I say NO."

 

[DWalt]

I am not turned on by the idea of owning any lightweight snubby revolver chambered in .357. There is just nothing to be gained by it.